SNP accuse defence chiefs of picking on Scotland after RAF’s last outpost at Kinloss in Moray is axed

09:25, 12 Dec 2014

ByDavid Clegg

THE Kinloss rescue centre co-ordinates RAF, Navy and Coastguard helicopters and the air force mountain rescue service - but the UK Government have decided to close it and move its work to the south coast of England.

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The Con-Dems shut RAF Kinloss in 2012

THE SNP yesterday accused defence chiefs of picking on Scotland after the RAF’s last outpost at Kinloss in Moray was axed.

But the UK Government have decided to close it and move its work to the National Maritime Operations Centre at Fareham on the south coast of England. Twenty-seven RAF and 10 civilian posts will be affected.

SNP defence spokesman and Moray MP Angus Robertson said the closure was devastating. It was “the latest in a series of disproportionate cuts to defence bases, capabilities and personnel” in Scotland.

He accused ministers of cynicism for announcing the closure weeks after the independence referendum.

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The Con-Dems shut RAF Kinloss in 2012.

The Ministry of Defence said no military jobs would be lost because of the latest closure and Fareham would provide a better service.

They said the MoD’s commitment to Scotland was clear, with a major Navy base, an Army brigade and an RAF fast jet base to be based here by 2020.